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Have you got what it takes to solve a global health problem?

The Indo-Pacific Global Health Case Competition provides university students in Australia and the Indo-Pacific region the opportunity to develop a multi-disciplinary, novel, evidence-based solution to the global health problem and present their case response (remotely or in person) to a panel of judges.

Each university can enter a team comprising of four to six students from any study discipline. Participating teams are given two weeks to prepare a response to the global health case before presenting it on the competition day. The global health case is multifaceted, involving various cultural challenges, economic issues and geographical complexities. There is no entry cost for university teams.

Applications for the Indo-Pacific Global Health Case Competition 2026 are now closed

The top scoring and runner-up teams are awarded a cash prize. Additionally, the top scoring team from the Indo-Pacific region and a selected group of top-performing University of Melbourne students gain access to the Emory Morningside Global Health Case Competition in the USA.

Participation in the global health case competition gives students and their academic mentors the opportunity to network with peers and seniors from across the region. Teams can also receive formal mentoring and training from University of Melbourne academics and organisational partners.

The 2026 University of Melbourne winning team of Amelie Dowling, Christine Lu, Alice Clifford, Florence Buck, and Allie Na with Professor Nathan Grills, Mr Paul Stephens (Director, DFAT Victoria State Office), Professor Margie Danchin (Associate Dean International, MDHS) Professor Mike McGuckin (Interim Dean, MDHS), Professor Michael Wesley (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Global Culture and Engagement).

The unique attributes of this prestigious competition are:

• cross-country, cross-cultural collaboration in learning and problem solving of global health challenges;
• experiential learning opportunities for students in each participating university with a focus on program and policy development to address global health challenges;
• relationship building between students and faculty in participating universities in diverse locations;
• capacity development with regards to solving complex problems, enriched by the diverse experience and expertise of students and mentors from different countries.

The 2026 first place winners joining virtually from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore, Clarence Chua, Audrey Ng, Adrian Wong, Jackson Gin, Sonakshi Nag, with Matt Ralston (Chief Operating Officer, Nossal Institute Ltd), Professor Kristen Pammer, Head, School of Psychological Sciences, Professor Margie Danchin (Associate Dean International), Professor Michael Wesley (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Global Culture and Engagement), Associate Professor Georgina Sutherland (Deputy Head of School, Melbourne School of Public Health), Professor Mike McGuckin (Interim Dean, MDHS), Mr Paul Stephens (Director, DFAT Victoria State Office), Professor Nathan Grills.